| In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors. |
Four indicted in alleged SoCal Social Security scam
Thursday July 24, 2003SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) A federal grand jury indicted four people Wednesday for allegedly selling hundreds of fraudulently obtained Social Security cards to illegal immigrants.
Heladio Serrano, 21, of Rialto; and Orlando Pascual Popper, 37; Marisol Esmeralda Rosa, 38; and Dimas Rosa, 38, all of Moreno Valley, were charged with using false birth certificates and other documents to apply for Social Security cards for newborn children.
Those involved claimed the babies were born in California, but authorities say the children were either not born in the state or were simply imaginary.
The four named in the indictment were arrested July 10 at homes in Los Angeles, Rialto and Moreno Valley. They allegedly received birth certificates and fraudulent cards through the mail, then sold the documents for about $3,500.
Each faces up to 30 years in federal prison and fines of up to $1.5 million.
Calls to the U.S. Attorney's office regarding bail, a hearing date and legal representation for the defendants were not immediately returned.
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